EP2256938B1 - Systems and methods providing wideband tuners controlling spurious signal placement in the capture bandwidth - Google Patents
Systems and methods providing wideband tuners controlling spurious signal placement in the capture bandwidth Download PDFInfo
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- EP2256938B1 EP2256938B1 EP10250918.9A EP10250918A EP2256938B1 EP 2256938 B1 EP2256938 B1 EP 2256938B1 EP 10250918 A EP10250918 A EP 10250918A EP 2256938 B1 EP2256938 B1 EP 2256938B1
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- tuner
- frequency
- channels
- spurious signal
- local oscillator
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/06—Receivers
- H04B1/10—Means associated with receiver for limiting or suppressing noise or interference
- H04B1/1027—Means associated with receiver for limiting or suppressing noise or interference assessing signal quality or detecting noise/interference for the received signal
- H04B1/1036—Means associated with receiver for limiting or suppressing noise or interference assessing signal quality or detecting noise/interference for the received signal with automatic suppression of narrow band noise or interference, e.g. by using tuneable notch filters
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/06—Receivers
- H04B1/16—Circuits
- H04B1/26—Circuits for superheterodyne receivers
- H04B1/28—Circuits for superheterodyne receivers the receiver comprising at least one semiconductor device having three or more electrodes
Definitions
- the present invention is related generally to frequency conversion and, more particularly, to wideband tuners controlling placement of one or more spurious signal components in the tuner capture bandwidth.
- Devices are in wide use today which receive and/or transmit information, including audio, video, data, etc., via radio frequency (RF) communication links.
- RF radio frequency
- cable transmission systems have become widely utilized to provide broadband communication of television signals, computer networking signals, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) signals, and the like on a plurality of channels spread across a broad spectrum (e.g., 6 MHz or 8 MHz channels in the spectrum from 50 MHz to 1,000 MHz).
- VoIP voice over Internet protocol
- Various devices such as set-top-boxes, cable modems, television receivers, personal computer televisions (PCTV), and other customer premise equipment (CPE) devices have been employed for use with respect to such signals.
- PCTV personal computer televisions
- CPE customer premise equipment
- Such CPE devices often include a RF tuner (frequency converter), a demodulator, and an interface to other CPE devices, such as a network router, a network access point (AP), a personal computer (PC), a television set, etc..
- a RF tuner may be operated to select a subset of the channels out of the plurality of channels in the transmission spectrum from an input, such as an antenna input or cable input.
- the demodulator may then be operated to convert the single channel data from the tuner to a raw data output, usually baseband.
- the aforementioned interface such as may comprise a PC interface or bridge, may operate to transport the raw data to a CPE, such as a PC, for the intended use.
- DOCSIS Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification
- an incoming signal at frequency fIN is mixed with a signal at frequency f LO1 from a local oscillator (LO) to produce a signal at a first intermediate frequency f IF1 .
- this signal may then mixed with a signal at frequency f LO2 from a second local oscillator signal to produce a second intermediate frequency f IF2 , such as for providing to a demodulator.
- FIGURE 1 The foregoing frequency conversion process is illustrated in FIGURE 1 , wherein exemplary dual conversion tuner 100 is shown.
- the f LO signals (provided by LO 121 and LO 131) are mixed by respective mixers (mixer 120 and mixer 130) to frequency convert the input signal, f IN , to an intermediate frequency, f IF2 , for providing to demodulator 140.
- First IF filter 111 and second IF filter 112 provide filtering of the frequency converted signals output by the mixers. Accordingly, these filters ultimately determine capture bandwidth (CBW) of the tuner, here the bandwidth of f IF2 .
- CBW capture bandwidth
- the CBW of tuner 100 will be no broader than the convolution of filter 111 and filter 112).
- mixers 120 and 130 and other circuitry of tuner 100 must provide acceptable operation (e.g., linear operation, spurious signal suppression and/or avoidance, etc.) throughout a bandwidth consistent with the capture bandwidth defined by such filters for the tuner to actually provide the capture bandwidth.
- tuner 100 An adverse effect of the dual conversion process of tuner 100 is the introduction of LO-related spurious signals, or "spurs," into the tuned signal. These spurs are created by combinations of the harmonics of the LO frequencies used (f LO1 and f LO2 ). Because broader capture bandwidths result in more such spurious signals potentially falling within the capture bandwidth, as explained more fully below, traditional tuner circuits have been unable to provide capture bandwidths on the order of 64 MHz to 96 MHz as set forth in the DOCSIS 3.0 standard which otherwise meet signal quality requirements.
- a spur generated by a given combination of f LO1 and f LO2 that falls within the capture bandwidth (CBW) of tuner 100 can degrade the quality of the output signal.
- a spur which is generated by multiples of f LO1 and f LO2 in a double conversion system will often have an amplitude (power level) which degrades the signal to noise and distortion (SINAD) ratio. Therefore, if such a spur falls within the capture bandwidth of a typical tuner circuit, its amplitude SN12 may corrupt the performance of the tuner itself.
- the present invention is directed to systems and methods which place a spurious signal or spur within a capture bandwidth of a tuner.
- Embodiments of the invention operate to place a spur falling within the capture bandwidth of a tuner within a spur placement window, such as may dispose the spur between traffic channels. Accordingly, rather than adjusting local oscillator frequencies so as to cause all relevant spurs (i.e., those spurs having sufficient amplitude and/or other attributes to degrade the output signal beyond acceptable parameters) outside of the capture bandwidth, embodiments of the invention place at least one such spur within the capture bandwidth. Such embodiments preferably shift one or more local oscillator frequency to place the aforementioned one or more spur within a predetermined spur placement window between traffic channels. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention thus provide wideband tuner configurations with maximized capture bandwidths.
- a tuner system operating in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be controlled to select a particular input frequency band comprising a plurality of traffic channels for frequency conversion.
- Algorithms may be utilized to determine LO frequencies which result in most relevant spurs being placed outside of the capture bandwidth of the tuner.
- the LO frequencies are shifted to place a relevant spur remaining within the capture bandwidth of the tuner between traffic channels of the plurality of traffic channels.
- the foregoing LO frequency shift is preferably no greater than one-half the maximum channel width of the selected input frequency band. For example, where the traffic channels comprise 6 MHz channels, such as is the case in the cable plants commonly used in the United States, a frequency shift no greater than 3 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur between traffic channels. Similarly, where the traffic channels comprise 8 MHz channels, such as is the case in the cable plants commonly used in Europe, a frequency shift no greater than 4 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur between traffic channels.
- Embodiments of the invention preferably precisely place a remaining relevant spur within the capture band of the tuner. For example, in order to provide optimum mitigation of a remaining relevant spur and/or to accommodate relatively large amplitude spurs using roll-off associated with the skirts or edges of traffic channels, embodiments of the invention operate to place a remaining relevant spur within a predetermined range of the midpoint between adjacent channels, such as within ⁇ 25 KHz of the midpoint.
- the midpoint between channels is typically not precisely known by tuner circuitry.
- tuner circuitry e.g., local oscillators or other circuitry providing frequency information
- tuner circuitry typically runs independent of the circuitry transmitting the signals, and thus tuners are typically not synchronized with the transmitted signal.
- appreciable channel drift or other phenomena may be associated with the transmission of the signal.
- embodiments of the invention operate to precisely determine the midpoint between channels. For example, embodiments of the invention determine frequency error between the signal transmitter and the tuner oscillators for determining frequency offset and thus channel midpoint location. Using such frequency offset information, embodiments of the invention determine LO frequency shift to place a remaining relevant spur between traffic channels to within an acceptable level of tolerance.
- FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a dual conversion tuner adapted in accordance with the concepts of the present invention as tuner 200.
- Tuner 200 of the illustrated embodiment includes mixer 220 and associated LO 221, filter 211, mixer 230 and associated LO 231, filter 212, and demodulator 240.
- the f LO signals (provided by LO 221 and LO 231) are mixed by respective mixers (mixer 220 and mixer 230) to frequency convert the input signal, f IN , to an intermediate frequency, f IF2 , for providing to demodulator 240. Additional detail with respect to frequency conversion operation provided by such a dual conversion tuner is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,035, issued Apr. 7, 1998 .
- First IF filter 211 and second IF filter 212 preferably comprising bandpass filters, provide filtering of the IF signals f IF1 and f IF2 . Accordingly, these filters ultimately determine capture bandwidth (CBW) of the tuner (e.g., the CBW of tuner 200 will be the convolution of filter 211 and filter 212).
- Tuner 200 of embodiments is wideband, providing frequency conversion meeting DOCSIS 3.0 wideband tuner requirements. For example, embodiments of tuner 200 provide frequency conversion of no less than a 64 MHz block of spectrum. Certain embodiments of tuner 200 provide frequency conversion of a 96 MHz block of spectrum, or more.
- filters 211 and 212 of embodiments convolve to provide no less than 64 MHz, with some embodiments convolving to provide capture bandwidth and as much as 96 MHz, etc.
- Mixers 220 and 230 and other circuitry of tuner 200 are adapted to provide wideband operation consistent with the foregoing capture bandwidth.
- tuner 200 provides simultaneous frequency conversion of a plurality of traffic channels where the input signal comprises a broadband cable transmission signal comprising a plurality of traffic channels as illustrated by broadband signal 300 of FIG. 3 .
- the signal input as f IN comprises a broadband cable transmission signal having a plurality of adjacent 6 MHz traffic channels (e.g., channels 301-307 of FIG. 3 each comprise a 6 MHz traffic channel)
- the foregoing capture bandwidths may comprise from 10 to 16 traffic channels.
- the signal input as f IN comprises a broadband cable transmission signal having a plurality of adjacent 8 MHz traffic channels (e.g., channels 301-307 each comprise a 8 MHz traffic channel)
- the foregoing capture bandwidth may comprise from 8 to 12 channels.
- capture bandwidths may comprise any number of channels, particularly where different channel widths and/or mixed channel widths are used.
- cable transmission signal having a plurality of adjacent 8 MHz traffic channels e.g., channels 301-307 each comprise a 8 MHz traffic channel
- the foregoing capture bandwidth may comprise from 8 to 12 channels.
- capture bandwidths may comprise any number of channels, particularly where different channel widths and/or mixed channel widths are used.
- Controller 250 of embodiments of the invention comprises a processor-based system, having a processor, memory, and input and output interfaces, suitable for proving operation as described herein.
- controller 250 operates under control of an instruction set to control LO 221 and LO 231 to provide LO frequencies, f LO1 and f LO2 , for converting particular traffic channels appearing within f IN to fall within the CBW defined by filters 211 and 212.
- the output of mixer 220 of embodiments is f LO1 +f IN and f LO1 -f IN .
- Filter 211 preferably provides attenuation of a portion of a broadband signal comprising f IN .
- f IN may comprise a broadband cable transmission signal (e.g., 50 MHz to 1,000 MHz) comprising a plurality of traffic channels as shown in FIGURE 3 , wherein filter 211 passes a portion of this bandwidth (e.g., a 104 MHz band centered at f IF1 ).
- controller 250 of embodiments controls LO 221 to select the frequency f LO1 such that the particular traffic channels of interest fall within the passband (e.g., 104 MHz band centered at f IF1 ) of filter 211.
- the output of mixer 230 of embodiments is f IF1 +f LO2 and f IF1 -f LO2 .
- filter 212 passes f IF1 -f LO2 , and attenuates f IF1 +f LO2 (i.e., mixer 230 and filter 212 provide a subtractive mixer circuit)
- Filter 212 may provide a more narrow passband than filter 211, such as to more closely correspond to a desired CBW (e.g., 96 MHz). Accordingly, controller 250 of embodiments controls LO 231 to select the frequency f LO2 such that the particular traffic channels of interest fall within a passband (e.g., a 96 MHz band centered at f IF12 ) of filter 212.
- a passband e.g., a 96 MHz band centered at f IF12
- the passband of filter 211 in the above example is wider than the passband of filter 212 (i.e., 104 MHz is greater than 96 MHz). This is to accommodate movement of the LO frequencies for controlling spur placement as described herein, as will be better understood from the discussion below.
- controller 250 preferably operates not only to determine LO frequencies (f LO1 and f LO2 ) which result in the particular channels of interest falling within the passbands of filters 211 and 212, thus falling in the CBW of tuner 200, but also to determine LO frequencies which result in most relevant spurs being placed outside of the CBW of the tuner.
- n 2 The number of LO frequency combinations that can possibly create spurs in n harmonics is n 2 . Accordingly, it may not be possible to adjust the LO frequencies to avoid one or more spur, having sufficient amplitude to degrade the output signal below system requirements, falling within the CBW, particularly where a tuner is wideband as with exemplary tuner 200 discussed above.
- Algorithms of controller 250 of embodiments thus operate to determine LO frequencies which result in most relevant spurs being placed outside of the CBW of tuner 200 and determines a LO frequency shift to place a remaining relevant spur within the CBW of the tuner so as to mitigate or minimize its impact upon the tuner output.
- embodiments of the invention place a relevant spur remaining in the CBW between traffic channels as illustrated by spur 401 in FIGURE 4 .
- Preferred embodiments operate to provide shifting of remaining relevant spurs toward the lower frequency edge of a first IF filter, such as filter 211, to obtain advantages associated with performance of components of the tuner, such as tuner 200.
- embodiments of the invention operate to place a remaining relevant spur within a predetermined range of the midpoint between adjacent channels (represented as range spur placement window a-b in FIGURE 4 ).
- range spur placement window a-b in FIGURE 4
- the roll-off associated with the skirts or edges of typical traffic channels such as the 6 MHz and 8 MHz traffic channels of the cable plants typical to the United States and Europe, provide as much as 25 dB of rejection within ⁇ 25 KHz of the midpoint between the traffic channels.
- a relevant spur remaining within the CBW may be accomplished according to embodiments of the invention with a LO shift of no more than one-half the maximum channel width of the selected input frequency band.
- a LO frequency shift of ⁇ 3 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur at the upper (+3 MHz) or lower (-3 MHz) edge of the traffic channel.
- a LO frequency shift of less than -3 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur at the lower edge of the traffic channel.
- a LO frequency shift of less than +3 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur at the upper edge of the traffic channel.
- Frequency shifts of less than or equal to ⁇ 4 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur between traffic channels where the traffic channels comprise 8 MHz channels.
- the passbands of filter 211 and/or filter 212 are preferably adapted to accommodate the foregoing frequency shift. That is, the passband of one or more of the filters of tuner 200 is sufficiently wideband to pass the desired frequency band as well as to accommodate shifting of the frequency band for disposing one or more spurs between traffic channels.
- the passband of filter 211 may be 104 MHz (e.g., the desired 96 MHz frequency conversion bandwidth plus 4 MHz to accommodate frequency shifts up to one-half of an 8 MHz channel width) to accommodate movement of the LO frequencies for controlling spur placement as described herein.
- controller 250 utilize information regarding the channel layout (e.g., the channel width(s), the channel frequencies, the channel spacing, etc.) of the signal processed by tuner 200.
- the channel layout e.g., the channel width(s), the channel frequencies, the channel spacing, etc.
- embodiments of the invention utilize a cable plant database, such as may be stored by database 260, to obtain information regarding the channels within the input signal. Additionally or alternatively, such channel information may be determined from the input signal, such as through controller 250 causing tuner 200 to scan the frequencies and obtaining information from demodulator 240 when a channel lock is obtained. Such scanning may be utilized to build or supplement a database of channel information, such as may be stored in database 260.
- controller 250 of embodiments may determine a LO frequency shift suitable for placing the remaining relevant spur between channels.
- the oscillator frequencies of a tuner such as tuner 200
- a source of the input signal such as a cable head-end system.
- channel layout information such as the aforementioned cable plant database, may not provide sufficient information for placing a remaining relevant spur between channels to result in satisfactory mitigation of the spur. That is, a frequency offset (referred to herein as ⁇ f) may exist between a source of the signal and the tuner receiving the signal, such that the channel edges as determined from the channel layout information are actually offset by the amount of this offset ( ⁇ f).
- embodiments of the invention operate to precisely determine channel location information, or tuner offset, to precisely determine the midpoint between channels.
- controller 250 causes tuner 200 to scan the frequencies and obtain information from demodulator 240 when a channel lock is obtained.
- the frequency offset may be determined for each channel or some select subset of channels, such as the highest and/or lowest and/or mid frequency channels. For example, it is expected that the frequency offset will be the greatest for the highest frequency channels, and thus a highest frequency channel may be analyzed to determine a frequency shift to be utilized with respect to all channels.
- the frequency offset between the signal transmitter and the tuner oscillators may be determined from the LO frequencies at which the channel lock was accomplished. Applying this frequency offset information to channel location information, such as the aforementioned cable plant database, provides accurate channel midpoint location information according to embodiments of the invention.
- embodiments of the invention determine LO frequency shift to place a remaining relevant spur between traffic channels to within an acceptable level of tolerance. For example, embodiments of the invention operate to place a remaining relevant spur within ⁇ 25 KHz of the midpoint (i.e., a 50 KHz window) between traffic channels using the foregoing frequency offset information.
- spur placement windows may be utilized in accordance with the concepts of the present invention, such as where more or less spur attenuation is desired or may be accommodated, where spurs of more or less magnitude are to be accommodated, where more or less accuracy in determining tuner offset is provided, etc.
- the tuner offset information may additionally or alternatively be used to adjust a system reference oscillator (SRO) used in generating the LO frequencies.
- SRO system reference oscillator
- the tuner offset information may be stored over some period of time and, if found to be relatively constant, the SRO may be adjusted so as to avoid implementing the foregoing LO frequency shifts, while still providing precise placement of spurs between channels as described herein.
- Such embodiments may be particularly desirable for use with respect to systems for which rapid initial start up of a tuner or modem is desired.
- determining a frequency offset and shifting LO frequencies such as may be performed at modem power-up initialization and/or at other times, may be avoided.
- such embodiments may operate to detect frequency offset, such as periodically, to compensate for drift (e.g., age or temperature related drift), changes in the network, etc.
- channel layout information for the input signal of tuner 200 is determined.
- a cable plant database may be provided (e.g., in database 260) where a fixed channel scheme is to be used.
- channel layout information may be determined by controller 250 through analysis of the input signal, such as where dynamic, or otherwise changing, channel schemes are implemented. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that channel layout information may be determined at any appropriate time, such as at a time of manufacturing the tuner, at a time of deployment of the tuner, in real-time during operation of the tuner, periodically, etc.
- a spur placement window within which relevant spurs remaining in the CBW of tuner 200 are to be placed.
- Embodiments of the invention utilized the 25 dB of attenuation provided within ⁇ 25 KHz of the midpoint between traffic channels to provide mitigation of remaining relevant spurs. Such embodiments may thus determine 50 KHz spur placement windows are available between channels of the input signal.
- Alternative embodiments of the invention may utilize additional or alternative spur placement windows, as desired.
- Spur placement windows may be determined at any appropriate time, such as at a time of manufacturing the tuner, at a time of deployment of the tuner, in real-time during operation of the tuner, periodically, etc.
- frequency offset ( ⁇ f) associated with tuner offset is determined.
- controller 250 may operate tuner 200 to scan the frequencies and obtain information regarding the channels present in the input signal, such as by identifying when demodulator 240 obtains channel locks.
- the frequency offset between the signal transmitter and tuner 200 may thus be determined from the LO frequencies at which the channel lock was accomplished.
- the foregoing frequency offset may be determined at one or more times, such as periodically, to accommodate tuner frequency error, frequency drift, thermally related changes, etc.
- a desired frequency band or channels to be tuned from the input signal has been identified and thus LO frequencies for LO 221 and LO 231 to cause tuner 200 to pass the identified frequency band are selected, such as through operation of controller 250.
- LO frequencies for LO 221 and LO 231 to cause tuner 200 to pass the identified frequency band are selected, such as through operation of controller 250.
- various combinations of LO frequencies may be used to align the desired channels so as to pass filters 211 and 212 after frequency translation by mixers 220 and 230.
- each such combination of LO frequencies has associated therewith a unique combination of spurs.
- Embodiments of the invention employ techniques, such as those described in the above referenced patent applications entitled “System and Method for Discovering Frequency Related Spurs in a Multi-Conversion Tuner,” “System and Method of Eliminating or Minimizing LO-Related Interference from Tuners,” and “System and Method of Eliminating or Minimizing LO-Related Interference from Tuners” to select LO frequencies wherein such spurs are placed outside of the passband of filters 211 and 212, and thus fall outside of the CBW of tuner 200. Even using such techniques to place relevant spurs outside of the CBW of the tuner, depending upon the particular LO frequencies selected and the CBW of the tuner, one or more relevant spurs may nevertheless fall within the CBW of tuner 200.
- Embodiments operate to determine if one or more relevant spurs fall within the CBW and, if so, whether the effects of the one or more spurs may be mitigated through LO frequency shifting as described herein. For example, where one relevant spur of the selected LO frequencies remains within the CBW of tuner 200, and the magnitude of that remaining relevant spur is such that the attenuation associated with a spur placement window will meet the operating parameters of tuner 200, the remaining relevant spur may be accommodated.
- embodiments may operate to accommodate a plurality of relevant spurs remaining within the CBW of the tuner, even where those remaining relevant spurs are not spaced in integer multiples of the channel spacing.
- ⁇ f frequency offset
- the remaining relevant spurs may be accommodated according to embodiments of the invention.
- processing according to the illustrated embodiment returns to block 505 for selection of different LO frequencies for passing the desired channels. However, if it is determined that the relevant spurs falling within the CBW of tuner 200 are acceptable for remaining in the CBW according to the concepts of the invention, processing according to the illustrated embodiment proceeds to block 507.
- a LO frequency shift for placing the one or more remaining relevant spurs within spur placement windows is determined, such as through operation of controller 250.
- controller 250 may use information regarding the frequency of a remaining relevant spur and information regarding the particular channels tuned to be within the CBW to determine a LO frequency shift suitable for placing the remaining relevant spur between channels.
- LOs 221 and 232 are controlled to operate at the selected LO frequencies and cause mixers 220 and 230, respectively, to frequency convert a portion of a signal input to tuner 200 so that the desired channels are passed by filters 211 while the relevant spurs associated with the LO frequencies are either placed outside of the CBW of tuner 200 or are shifted to fall within a spur placement window within the CBW.
- tuner 200 provides wideband tuning of signals, such as to provide a CBW on the order of 96 MHz, while avoiding and/or mitigating spurs sufficiently to provide output signals meeting desired output characteristics, such as those specified by DOCSIS 3.
Description
- This application is related to co-pending and commonly assigned
U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 11/486,706 entitled "Broadband Integrated Tuner," filed Jun. 29, 2006 11/325,854 entitled "System and Method for Discovering Frequency Related Spurs in a Multi-Conversion Tuner," filed Jan. 5, 2006 10/952,185 entitled "System and Method of Eliminating or Minimizing LO-Related Interference from Tuners," filed Sep. 28, 2004 11/930,703 entitled "System and Method of Eliminating or Minimizing LO-Related Interference from Tuners," filed Oct. 31, 2007 11/557,365 entitled "High-Performance Bipolar Tuner Solution Systems and Methods," filed Nov. 7, 2006 11/613,079 entitled "Suppression of LO-Related Interference from Tuners," filed Dec. 19, 2006 - The present invention is related generally to frequency conversion and, more particularly, to wideband tuners controlling placement of one or more spurious signal components in the tuner capture bandwidth.
- Devices are in wide use today which receive and/or transmit information, including audio, video, data, etc., via radio frequency (RF) communication links. For example, cable transmission systems have become widely utilized to provide broadband communication of television signals, computer networking signals, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) signals, and the like on a plurality of channels spread across a broad spectrum (e.g., 6 MHz or 8 MHz channels in the spectrum from 50 MHz to 1,000 MHz). Various devices, such as set-top-boxes, cable modems, television receivers, personal computer televisions (PCTV), and other customer premise equipment (CPE) devices have been employed for use with respect to such signals.
- Such a prior art device is disclosed in
WO 2008/148125 A1 . - Such CPE devices often include a RF tuner (frequency converter), a demodulator, and an interface to other CPE devices, such as a network router, a network access point (AP), a personal computer (PC), a television set, etc.. Such a RF tuner may be operated to select a subset of the channels out of the plurality of channels in the transmission spectrum from an input, such as an antenna input or cable input. The demodulator may then be operated to convert the single channel data from the tuner to a raw data output, usually baseband. The aforementioned interface, such as may comprise a PC interface or bridge, may operate to transport the raw data to a CPE, such as a PC, for the intended use.
- Although the aforementioned channel selection has traditionally selected a single channel, more recently developed systems have been designed to select a plurality of channels, such as a block of contiguous channels, within the transmission spectrum. For example, version 3.0 of the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) specifies tuners are to be sufficiently wideband to frequency convert no less than a 64 MHz block of spectrum and as much as a 96 MHz block of spectrum (i.e., provide no less than 64 MHz capture bandwidth and as much as 96 MHz capture bandwidth).
- In operation of a RF tuner, an incoming signal at frequency fIN is mixed with a signal at frequency fLO1 from a local oscillator (LO) to produce a signal at a first intermediate frequency fIF1. In a dual conversion tuner configuration, this signal may then mixed with a signal at frequency fLO2 from a second local oscillator signal to produce a second intermediate frequency fIF2, such as for providing to a demodulator.
- The foregoing frequency conversion process is illustrated in
FIGURE 1 , wherein exemplarydual conversion tuner 100 is shown. In operation oftuner 100, the fLO signals (provided byLO 121 and LO 131) are mixed by respective mixers (mixer 120 and mixer 130) to frequency convert the input signal, fIN, to an intermediate frequency, fIF2, for providing todemodulator 140. -
First IF filter 111 andsecond IF filter 112 provide filtering of the frequency converted signals output by the mixers. Accordingly, these filters ultimately determine capture bandwidth (CBW) of the tuner, here the bandwidth of fIF2. For example, the CBW oftuner 100 will be no broader than the convolution offilter 111 and filter 112). Of course,mixers tuner 100 must provide acceptable operation (e.g., linear operation, spurious signal suppression and/or avoidance, etc.) throughout a bandwidth consistent with the capture bandwidth defined by such filters for the tuner to actually provide the capture bandwidth. - An adverse effect of the dual conversion process of
tuner 100 is the introduction of LO-related spurious signals, or "spurs," into the tuned signal. These spurs are created by combinations of the harmonics of the LO frequencies used (fLO1 and fLO2). Because broader capture bandwidths result in more such spurious signals potentially falling within the capture bandwidth, as explained more fully below, traditional tuner circuits have been unable to provide capture bandwidths on the order of 64 MHz to 96 MHz as set forth in the DOCSIS 3.0 standard which otherwise meet signal quality requirements. -
- A spur generated by a given combination of fLO1 and fLO2 that falls within the capture bandwidth (CBW) of
tuner 100 can degrade the quality of the output signal. In particular, a spur which is generated by multiples of fLO1 and fLO2 in a double conversion system will often have an amplitude (power level) which degrades the signal to noise and distortion (SINAD) ratio. Therefore, if such a spur falls within the capture bandwidth of a typical tuner circuit, its amplitude SN12 may corrupt the performance of the tuner itself. - The present invention is directed to systems and methods which place a spurious signal or spur within a capture bandwidth of a tuner. Embodiments of the invention operate to place a spur falling within the capture bandwidth of a tuner within a spur placement window, such as may dispose the spur between traffic channels. Accordingly, rather than adjusting local oscillator frequencies so as to cause all relevant spurs (i.e., those spurs having sufficient amplitude and/or other attributes to degrade the output signal beyond acceptable parameters) outside of the capture bandwidth, embodiments of the invention place at least one such spur within the capture bandwidth. Such embodiments preferably shift one or more local oscillator frequency to place the aforementioned one or more spur within a predetermined spur placement window between traffic channels. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention thus provide wideband tuner configurations with maximized capture bandwidths.
- A tuner system operating in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be controlled to select a particular input frequency band comprising a plurality of traffic channels for frequency conversion. Algorithms may be utilized to determine LO frequencies which result in most relevant spurs being placed outside of the capture bandwidth of the tuner. The LO frequencies are shifted to place a relevant spur remaining within the capture bandwidth of the tuner between traffic channels of the plurality of traffic channels. The foregoing LO frequency shift is preferably no greater than one-half the maximum channel width of the selected input frequency band. For example, where the traffic channels comprise 6 MHz channels, such as is the case in the cable plants commonly used in the United States, a frequency shift no greater than 3 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur between traffic channels. Similarly, where the traffic channels comprise 8 MHz channels, such as is the case in the cable plants commonly used in Europe, a frequency shift no greater than 4 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur between traffic channels.
- Embodiments of the invention preferably precisely place a remaining relevant spur within the capture band of the tuner. For example, in order to provide optimum mitigation of a remaining relevant spur and/or to accommodate relatively large amplitude spurs using roll-off associated with the skirts or edges of traffic channels, embodiments of the invention operate to place a remaining relevant spur within a predetermined range of the midpoint between adjacent channels, such as within ± 25 KHz of the midpoint.
- The midpoint between channels is typically not precisely known by tuner circuitry. For example, tuner circuitry (e.g., local oscillators or other circuitry providing frequency information) typically runs independent of the circuitry transmitting the signals, and thus tuners are typically not synchronized with the transmitted signal. Moreover, appreciable channel drift or other phenomena may be associated with the transmission of the signal. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention operate to precisely determine the midpoint between channels. For example, embodiments of the invention determine frequency error between the signal transmitter and the tuner oscillators for determining frequency offset and thus channel midpoint location. Using such frequency offset information, embodiments of the invention determine LO frequency shift to place a remaining relevant spur between traffic channels to within an acceptable level of tolerance.
- The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
- For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
-
FIGURE 1 shows a dual conversion tuner system in accordance with the prior art; -
FIGURE 2 shows a dual conversion tuner system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; -
FIGURE 3 illustrates channel layout information for a broadband signal as may be provided as an input to the tuner system ofFIGURE 2 ; -
FIGURE 4 shows a spur placement window as may be implemented according to embodiments of the invention; and -
FIGURE 5 shows a flow diagram of operation of the tuner system ofFIGURE 2 to control spurious signal placement within the capture bandwidth of the tuner. -
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a dual conversion tuner adapted in accordance with the concepts of the present invention astuner 200.Tuner 200 of the illustrated embodiment includesmixer 220 and associatedLO 221,filter 211,mixer 230 and associatedLO 231,filter 212, anddemodulator 240. In operation oftuner 200, the fLO signals (provided byLO 221 and LO 231) are mixed by respective mixers (mixer 220 and mixer 230) to frequency convert the input signal, fIN, to an intermediate frequency, fIF2, for providing todemodulator 240. Additional detail with respect to frequency conversion operation provided by such a dual conversion tuner is shown inU.S. Pat. No. 5,737,035, issued Apr. 7, 1998 . - First IF
filter 211 and second IFfilter 212, preferably comprising bandpass filters, provide filtering of the IF signals fIF1 and fIF2. Accordingly, these filters ultimately determine capture bandwidth (CBW) of the tuner (e.g., the CBW oftuner 200 will be the convolution offilter 211 and filter 212).Tuner 200 of embodiments is wideband, providing frequency conversion meeting DOCSIS 3.0 wideband tuner requirements. For example, embodiments oftuner 200 provide frequency conversion of no less than a 64 MHz block of spectrum. Certain embodiments oftuner 200 provide frequency conversion of a 96 MHz block of spectrum, or more. Thus filters 211 and 212 of embodiments convolve to provide no less than 64 MHz, with some embodiments convolving to provide capture bandwidth and as much as 96 MHz, etc.Mixers tuner 200 are adapted to provide wideband operation consistent with the foregoing capture bandwidth. - In operation according to embodiments of the invention,
tuner 200 provides simultaneous frequency conversion of a plurality of traffic channels where the input signal comprises a broadband cable transmission signal comprising a plurality of traffic channels as illustrated bybroadband signal 300 ofFIG. 3 . For example, where the signal input as fIN comprises a broadband cable transmission signal having a plurality of adjacent 6 MHz traffic channels (e.g., channels 301-307 ofFIG. 3 each comprise a 6 MHz traffic channel), the foregoing capture bandwidths may comprise from 10 to 16 traffic channels. Similarly, where the signal input as fIN comprises a broadband cable transmission signal having a plurality of adjacent 8 MHz traffic channels (e.g., channels 301-307 each comprise a 8 MHz traffic channel), the foregoing capture bandwidth may comprise from 8 to 12 channels. Of course, such capture bandwidths may comprise any number of channels, particularly where different channel widths and/or mixed channel widths are used.
cable transmission signal having a plurality of adjacent 8 MHz traffic channels (e.g., channels 301-307 each comprise a 8 MHz traffic channel), the foregoing capture bandwidth may comprise from 8 to 12 channels. Of course, such capture bandwidths may comprise any number of channels, particularly where different channel widths and/or mixed channel widths are used. -
Controller 250 of embodiments of the invention comprises a processor-based system, having a processor, memory, and input and output interfaces, suitable for proving operation as described herein. In accordance with embodiments,controller 250 operates under control of an instruction set to controlLO 221 andLO 231 to provide LO frequencies, fLO1 and fLO2, for converting particular traffic channels appearing within fIN to fall within the CBW defined byfilters mixer 220 of embodiments is fLO1+fIN and fLO1-fIN. Assuming, for this example, thatfilter 211 passes fLO1-fIN, and attenuates fLO1+fIN (i.e.,mixer 220 and filter 211 provide a subtractive mixer circuit), fIF1=fLO1-fIN.Filter 211 preferably provides attenuation of a portion of a broadband signal comprising fIN. For example, fIN may comprise a broadband cable transmission signal (e.g., 50 MHz to 1,000 MHz) comprising a plurality of traffic channels as shown inFIGURE 3 , whereinfilter 211 passes a portion of this bandwidth (e.g., a 104 MHz band centered at fIF1). Accordingly,controller 250 of embodiments controlsLO 221 to select the frequency fLO1 such that the particular traffic channels of interest fall within the passband (e.g., 104 MHz band centered at fIF1) offilter 211. The output ofmixer 230 of embodiments is fIF1+fLO2 and fIF1-fLO2. Assuming, for this example, thatfilter 212 passes fIF1-fLO2, and attenuates fIF1+fLO2 (i.e.,mixer 230 and filter 212 provide a subtractive mixer circuit), fIF2=fIF1-fLO2=(fLO1-fIN)-fLO2.Filter 212 may provide a more narrow passband thanfilter 211, such as to more closely correspond to a desired CBW (e.g., 96 MHz). Accordingly,controller 250 of embodiments controlsLO 231 to select the frequency fLO2 such that the particular traffic channels of interest fall within a passband (e.g., a 96 MHz band centered at fIF12) offilter 212. - It should be appreciated that the passband of
filter 211 in the above example is wider than the passband of filter 212 (i.e., 104 MHz is greater than 96 MHz). This is to accommodate movement of the LO frequencies for controlling spur placement as described herein, as will be better understood from the discussion below. - As previously mentioned, the dual conversion process introduces LO-related spurious signals, or "spurs," into the tuned signal. These spurs are created by combinations of the harmonics of the LO frequencies used (fLO1 and fLO2). A spur generated by a given combination of fLO1 and fLO2 that falls within the CBW of
tuner 200 can degrade the quality of the output signal. Accordingly,controller 250 preferably operates not only to determine LO frequencies (fLO1 and fLO2) which result in the particular channels of interest falling within the passbands offilters tuner 200, but also to determine LO frequencies which result in most relevant spurs being placed outside of the CBW of the tuner. For example, algorithms ofcontroller 250 may calculate LO related spurs, such as up to a particular order (e.g., permeations up to n=15 and m=15 in equation (1)), to select a LO frequency combination which places relevant spurs (i.e., those spurs having sufficient amplitude to degrade the output signal beyond acceptable parameters) outside of the CBW oftuner 200. Techniques for selecting LO frequencies to place spurs outside of a tuner capture bandwidth are shown in the above referenced patent applications entitled "System and Method for Discovering Frequency Related Spurs in a Multi-Conversion Tuner," "System and Method of Eliminating or Minimizing LO-Related Interference from Tuners," and "System and Method of Eliminating or Minimizing LO-Related Interference from Tuners." - The number of LO frequency combinations that can possibly create spurs in n harmonics is n2. Accordingly, it may not be possible to adjust the LO frequencies to avoid one or more spur, having sufficient amplitude to degrade the output signal below system requirements, falling within the CBW, particularly where a tuner is wideband as with
exemplary tuner 200 discussed above. - Algorithms of
controller 250 of embodiments thus operate to determine LO frequencies which result in most relevant spurs being placed outside of the CBW oftuner 200 and determines a LO frequency shift to place a remaining relevant spur within the CBW of the tuner so as to mitigate or minimize its impact upon the tuner output. Specifically, embodiments of the invention place a relevant spur remaining in the CBW between traffic channels as illustrated byspur 401 inFIGURE 4 . Preferred embodiments operate to provide shifting of remaining relevant spurs toward the lower frequency edge of a first IF filter, such asfilter 211, to obtain advantages associated with performance of components of the tuner, such astuner 200. - In order to provide optimum mitigation of a remaining relevant spur and/or to accommodate relatively large amplitude spurs using roll-off associated with the skirts or edges of traffic channels, embodiments of the invention operate to place a remaining relevant spur within a predetermined range of the midpoint between adjacent channels (represented as range spur placement window a-b in
FIGURE 4 ). Experimentation has revealed that the roll-off associated with the skirts or edges of typical traffic channels, such as the 6 MHz and 8 MHz traffic channels of the cable plants typical to the United States and Europe, provide as much as 25 dB of rejection within ± 25 KHz of the midpoint between the traffic channels. Experimentation has further revealed that a LO related spur which remains within the CBW often fail system performance requirements (e.g., DOCSIS 3.0 performance specifications) by 10 dB. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention operate to place a remaining relevant spur within ± 25 KHz of the midpoint between traffic channels. - The foregoing placement of a relevant spur remaining within the CBW may be accomplished according to embodiments of the invention with a LO shift of no more than one-half the maximum channel width of the selected input frequency band. For example, where the traffic channels comprise 6 MHz channels and the remaining relevant spur falls at the center frequency of a traffic channel, a LO frequency shift of ±3 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur at the upper (+3 MHz) or lower (-3 MHz) edge of the traffic channel. Where the remaining relevant spur falls at a frequency lower than the center frequency of a 6 MHz traffic channel, a LO frequency shift of less than -3 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur at the lower edge of the traffic channel. Similarly, where the remaining relevant spur falls at a frequency higher than the center frequency of a 6 MHz traffic channel, a LO frequency shift of less than +3 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur at the upper edge of the traffic channel. Frequency shifts of less than or equal to ±4 MHz may be utilized to place the remaining relevant spur between traffic channels where the traffic channels comprise 8 MHz channels.
- The passbands of
filter 211 and/or filter 212 are preferably adapted to accommodate the foregoing frequency shift. That is, the passband of one or more of the filters oftuner 200 is sufficiently wideband to pass the desired frequency band as well as to accommodate shifting of the frequency band for disposing one or more spurs between traffic channels. For example, wheretuner 200 provides frequency conversion meeting DOCSIS 3 wideband tuner requirements to provide frequency conversion of a 96 MHz block of spectrum, the passband offilter 211 may be 104 MHz (e.g., the desired 96 MHz frequency conversion bandwidth plus 4 MHz to accommodate frequency shifts up to one-half of an 8 MHz channel width) to accommodate movement of the LO frequencies for controlling spur placement as described herein. - In order to place a remaining relevant spur between traffic channels, embodiments of
controller 250 utilize information regarding the channel layout (e.g., the channel width(s), the channel frequencies, the channel spacing, etc.) of the signal processed bytuner 200. For example, embodiments of the invention utilize a cable plant database, such as may be stored bydatabase 260, to obtain information regarding the channels within the input signal. Additionally or alternatively, such channel information may be determined from the input signal, such as throughcontroller 250 causingtuner 200 to scan the frequencies and obtaining information fromdemodulator 240 when a channel lock is obtained. Such scanning may be utilized to build or supplement a database of channel information, such as may be stored indatabase 260. - By knowing the frequency of a remaining relevant spur and information regarding the particular channels tuned to be within the CBW,
controller 250 of embodiments may determine a LO frequency shift suitable for placing the remaining relevant spur between channels. However, it should be appreciated that the oscillator frequencies of a tuner, such astuner 200, typically are not synchronous with the oscillator frequencies of a source of the input signal, such as a cable head-end system. Accordingly, channel layout information, such as the aforementioned cable plant database, may not provide sufficient information for placing a remaining relevant spur between channels to result in satisfactory mitigation of the spur. That is, a frequency offset (referred to herein as Δf) may exist between a source of the signal and the tuner receiving the signal, such that the channel edges as determined from the channel layout information are actually offset by the amount of this offset (±Δf). - Accordingly, embodiments of the invention operate to precisely determine channel location information, or tuner offset, to precisely determine the midpoint between channels. For example, embodiments of the invention utilize algorithms under which
controller 250 causestuner 200 to scan the frequencies and obtain information fromdemodulator 240 when a channel lock is obtained. The frequency offset may be determined for each channel or some select subset of channels, such as the highest and/or lowest and/or mid frequency channels. For example, it is expected that the frequency offset will be the greatest for the highest frequency channels, and thus a highest frequency channel may be analyzed to determine a frequency shift to be utilized with respect to all channels. Regardless of the particular channels analyzed or scanned, the frequency offset between the signal transmitter and the tuner oscillators (Δf) may be determined from the LO frequencies at which the channel lock was accomplished. Applying this frequency offset information to channel location information, such as the aforementioned cable plant database, provides accurate channel midpoint location information according to embodiments of the invention. - Using the foregoing frequency offset information, embodiments of the invention determine LO frequency shift to place a remaining relevant spur between traffic channels to within an acceptable level of tolerance. For example, embodiments of the invention operate to place a remaining relevant spur within ± 25 KHz of the midpoint (i.e., a 50 KHz window) between traffic channels using the foregoing frequency offset information. Of course, other sizes of spur placement windows may be utilized in accordance with the concepts of the present invention, such as where more or less spur attenuation is desired or may be accommodated, where spurs of more or less magnitude are to be accommodated, where more or less accuracy in determining tuner offset is provided, etc.
- The tuner offset information may additionally or alternatively be used to adjust a system reference oscillator (SRO) used in generating the LO frequencies. For example, the tuner offset information may be stored over some period of time and, if found to be relatively constant, the SRO may be adjusted so as to avoid implementing the foregoing LO frequency shifts, while still providing precise placement of spurs between channels as described herein. Such embodiments may be particularly desirable for use with respect to systems for which rapid initial start up of a tuner or modem is desired. For example, because the SRO is adjusted for the detected frequency offset, determining a frequency offset and shifting LO frequencies, such as may be performed at modem power-up initialization and/or at other times, may be avoided. Of course, such embodiments may operate to detect frequency offset, such as periodically, to compensate for drift (e.g., age or temperature related drift), changes in the network, etc.
- Directing attention to
FIGURE 5 , a flow diagram showing operation oftuner 200 to provide wideband operation as described herein is shown in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Atblock 503 of the illustrated embodiment channel layout information for the input signal oftuner 200 is determined. For example, a cable plant database may be provided (e.g., in database 260) where a fixed channel scheme is to be used. Additionally or alternatively, channel layout information may be determined bycontroller 250 through analysis of the input signal, such as where dynamic, or otherwise changing, channel schemes are implemented. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that channel layout information may be determined at any appropriate time, such as at a time of manufacturing the tuner, at a time of deployment of the tuner, in real-time during operation of the tuner, periodically, etc. Atblock 501 of the illustrated embodiment the relevant spurs, or those spurs which are believed to result in degradation of the output signal beyond acceptable parameters if falling within the CBW, are identified for the particular tuner configuration. Attributes oftuner 200, such as desired performance parameters, tuner configuration, density of components used in the tuner, particular manufacturing processes used to produce components used in the tuner, etc., may result in particular spurs being relevant with respect to an implementation. (i.e.,block 501 of the illustrated embodiment the relevant spurs for the expected or current implementation oftuner 200 are determined. It should be appreciated that the relevant spurs may be determined at any appropriate time, such as at a time of manufacturing the tuner, at a time of deployment of the tuner, in real-time during operation of the tuner, periodically, etc. - At
block 502 of the illustrated embodiment a spur placement window within which relevant spurs remaining in the CBW oftuner 200 are to be placed. Embodiments of the invention utilized the 25 dB of attenuation provided within ± 25 KHz of the midpoint between traffic channels to provide mitigation of remaining relevant spurs. Such embodiments may thus determine 50 KHz spur placement windows are available between channels of the input signal. Alternative embodiments of the invention may utilize additional or alternative spur placement windows, as desired. Spur placement windows may be determined at any appropriate time, such as at a time of manufacturing the tuner, at a time of deployment of the tuner, in real-time during operation of the tuner, periodically, etc. - At
block 504 of the illustrated embodiment frequency offset (Δf) associated with tuner offset is determined. For example,controller 250 may operatetuner 200 to scan the frequencies and obtain information regarding the channels present in the input signal, such as by identifying whendemodulator 240 obtains channel locks. The frequency offset between the signal transmitter andtuner 200 may thus be determined from the LO frequencies at which the channel lock was accomplished. The foregoing frequency offset may be determined at one or more times, such as periodically, to accommodate tuner frequency error, frequency drift, thermally related changes, etc. - At
block 505 of the illustrated embodiment a desired frequency band or channels to be tuned from the input signal has been identified and thus LO frequencies forLO 221 andLO 231 to causetuner 200 to pass the identified frequency band are selected, such as through operation ofcontroller 250. It should be appreciated that various combinations of LO frequencies may be used to align the desired channels so as to passfilters mixers filters tuner 200. Even using such techniques to place relevant spurs outside of the CBW of the tuner, depending upon the particular LO frequencies selected and the CBW of the tuner, one or more relevant spurs may nevertheless fall within the CBW oftuner 200. - Accordingly, at
block 506 of the illustrated embodiment a determination is made, such as through operation ofcontroller 250, as to whether acceptable relevant spurs associated with the selected LO frequencies fall within the CBW oftuner 200. Embodiments operate to determine if one or more relevant spurs fall within the CBW and, if so, whether the effects of the one or more spurs may be mitigated through LO frequency shifting as described herein. For example, where one relevant spur of the selected LO frequencies remains within the CBW oftuner 200, and the magnitude of that remaining relevant spur is such that the attenuation associated with a spur placement window will meet the operating parameters oftuner 200, the remaining relevant spur may be accommodated. - Depending upon the accuracy to which frequency offset (Δf) is determined, embodiments may operate to accommodate a plurality of relevant spurs remaining within the CBW of the tuner, even where those remaining relevant spurs are not spaced in integer multiples of the channel spacing. To aid in understanding such an embodiment of the invention, assume that at least 25 dB of attenuation is provided throughout a 50 KHz spur placement window centered between traffic channels of a typical cable plant. Relevant spurs of up to 25 dB falling within the CBW may be accommodated in the foregoing example which are interspaced (separated in frequency) from one another by an integer multiple of the channel spacing plus or minus twice the spur placement window size (e.g., remaining relevant spurs may be accommodated which have interspacing = i(6 MHz) ± 2(25 KHz), where i is an integer, 6 MHz is the channel spacing, and 50 KHz is the spur placement window size). Accordingly, where a plurality of relevant spurs of the selected LO frequencies remain within the CBW of
tuner 200, and their magnitude and interspacing is such that the attenuation associated with the spur placement windows will meet the operating parameters oftuner 200, the remaining relevant spurs may be accommodated according to embodiments of the invention. - If, at
block 506, it is determined that one or more relevant spur other than acceptable relevant spurs fall within the CBW oftuner 200, processing according to the illustrated embodiment returns to block 505 for selection of different LO frequencies for passing the desired channels. However, if it is determined that the relevant spurs falling within the CBW oftuner 200 are acceptable for remaining in the CBW according to the concepts of the invention, processing according to the illustrated embodiment proceeds to block 507. - At
block 507 of the illustrated embodiment a LO frequency shift for placing the one or more remaining relevant spurs within spur placement windows is determined, such as through operation ofcontroller 250. For example,controller 250 may use information regarding the frequency of a remaining relevant spur and information regarding the particular channels tuned to be within the CBW to determine a LO frequency shift suitable for placing the remaining relevant spur between channels. - At
block 508 of the illustratedembodiment LOs 221 and 232 are controlled to operate at the selected LO frequencies and causemixers tuner 200 so that the desired channels are passed byfilters 211 while the relevant spurs associated with the LO frequencies are either placed outside of the CBW oftuner 200 or are shifted to fall within a spur placement window within the CBW. Accordingly,tuner 200 provides wideband tuning of signals, such as to provide a CBW on the order of 96 MHz, while avoiding and/or mitigating spurs sufficiently to provide output signals meeting desired output characteristics, such as those specified by DOCSIS 3.
Claims (10)
- A method comprising:selecting a first and second local oscillator (221, 231) frequency combination for frequency converting a plurality of channels (301 to 307) to a capture bandwidth of a tuner (200), wherein the selected first and second local oscillator (221, 231) frequencies have a spurious signal (401) associated therewith which falls within the tuner capture bandwidth, and wherein the spurious signal (401) has an attribute sufficient to degrade a signal output by the tuner (200) outside of at least one acceptable tuner performance parameter and thus comprises a relevant spurious signal (401) remaining within the tuner capture bandwidth;selecting a frequency shift for at least one of the first and second local oscillator (221, 231) frequencies to dispose the relevant spurious signal (401) within a predetermined range of the midpoint between two adjacent channels (303, 304) of the plurality of channels (301 to 307); andcontrolling first and second local oscillators (221, 231) to provide the first and second local oscillator frequencies in accordance with the selected frequency shift to dispose the relevant spurious signal (401) between the two adjacent channels (303, 304).
- The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency shift selected is no greater than one-half a channel width of a channel of the two adjacent channels (303, 304).
- The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining a frequency window between channels (303, 304) of the plurality of channels (301 to 307) that provides desirable attenuation, wherein the selecting a frequency shift selects a frequency shift to dispose the relevant spurious signal (401) within the frequency window between the two adjacent channels (303, 304).
- The method of claim 3, further comprising:determining a frequency offset between a source transmitting the plurality of channels (301 to 307) and the tuner (200), wherein the selecting a frequency shift compensates for the frequency offset.
- A system comprising:a first mixer (220);a first local oscillator (221) coupled to the first mixer (220) and providing a first local oscillator frequency thereto,a second mixer (230) disposed in a signal output path of the first mixer (220), the first and second mixers (220, 230) configured to provide a multi-conversion tuner (200);a second local oscillator (231) coupled to the second mixer (230) and providing a second local oscillator frequency thereto;at least one filter (211, 212) disposed in the signal output path of the first mixer (220), the at least one filter (211, 212) defining a capture bandwidth of the tuner (200); anda controller (250) coupled to the first and second local oscillators (221, 231) operable to select the first and second local oscillator frequencies frequency converting a plurality of channels (301 to 307) to the capture bandwidth of the tuner (200), wherein the selected first and second local oscillator frequencies have a spurious signal (401) associated therewith which falls within the tuner capture bandwidth, and wherein the spurious signal (401) has an attribute sufficient to degrade a signal output by the tuner (200) outside of at least one acceptable tuner performance parameter and thus comprises a relevant spurious signal (401) remaining within the tuner capture bandwidth, the controller (250) further operable to select a frequency shift for at least one of the first and second local oscillator frequencies to dispose the relevant spurious signal (401) within a predetermined range of the midpoint between two adjacent channels (303, 304) of the plurality of channels (301 to 307).
- The system of claim 5, further comprising:a frequency window predetermined for providing spurious signal attenuation, wherein the frequency shift selected by the controller (250) disposes the relevant spurious signal (401) within the frequency window between the two adjacent channels (303, 304).
- The system of claim 6, further comprising:a frequency offset determined from a tuner error of the tuner (200), wherein the frequency shift selected by the controller (250) is compensated for the frequency offset.
- The system of claim 5, further comprising:channel location information for the plurality of channels (301 to 307), wherein the controller (250) utilizes the channel location information in selecting the frequency shift.
- The system of claim 8, wherein the channel location information comprises a cable plant database.
- The system of claim 8, wherein the channel location information comprises information obtained by the controller (250) scanning at least a portion of the plurality of channels (301 to 307) to obtain channel location information.
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US9698863B2 (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2017-07-04 | Intel IP Corporation | Methods and arrangements for spur estimation of a wireless communication packet |
CN107749755B (en) * | 2017-11-10 | 2020-11-03 | 中国电子科技集团公司第四十一研究所 | Frequency scanning control method for improving frequency spurious index of receiver |
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US5737035A (en) | 1995-04-21 | 1998-04-07 | Microtune, Inc. | Highly integrated television tuner on a single microcircuit |
US5649160A (en) * | 1995-05-23 | 1997-07-15 | Microunity Systems Engineering, Inc. | Noise reduction in integrated circuits and circuit assemblies |
US7904024B2 (en) * | 2004-09-28 | 2011-03-08 | Zoran Corporation | System and method of eliminating or minimizing Lo-Related interference from tuners |
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